Discourses on the First Decade of Titus Livius eBook

As bearing on this point, it might have been proper
for me to show what methods were followed by the Romans
in entering the territories of other nations, had
I not already spoken of this at length in my Treatise
on Princedoms, wherein the whole subject is discussed.
Here it is enough to say briefly, that in a new province
they always sought for some friend who should be to
them as a ladder whereby to climb, a door through
which to pass, or an instrument wherewith to keep their
hold. Thus we see them effect their entrance
into Samnium through the Capuans, into Etruria through
the Camertines, into Sicily through the Mamertines,
into Spain through the Saguntans, into Africa through
Massinissa, into Greece through the Etolians, into
Asia through Eumenes and other princes, into Gaul
through the Massilians and Eduans; and, in like manner,
never without similar assistance in their efforts whether
to acquire provinces or to keep them.

The nations who carefully attend to this precaution
will be seen to stand in less need of Fortune’s
help than others who neglect it. But that all
may clearly understand how much more the Romans were
aided by valour than by Fortune in acquiring their
empire, I shall in the following Chapter consider
the character of those nations with whom they had
to contend, and show how stubborn these were in defending
their freedom.

CHAPTER II.—­With what Nations the Romans had to contend, and how
stubborn these were in defending their Freedom.

In subduing the countries round about them, and certain
of the more distant provinces, nothing gave the Romans
so much trouble, as the love which in those days many
nations bore to freedom, defending it with such obstinacy
as could not have been overcome save by a surpassing
valour. For we know by numberless instances,
what perils these nations were ready to face in their
efforts to maintain or recover their freedom, and
what vengeance they took against those who deprived
them of it. We know, too, from history, what
hurt a people or city suffers from servitude.
And though, at the present day, there is but one province
which can be said to contain within it free cities,
we find that formerly these abounded everywhere.
For we learn that in the ancient times of which I
speak, from the mountains which divide Tuscany from
Lombardy down to the extreme point of Italy, there
dwelt numerous free nations, such as the Etruscans,
the Romans, and the Samnites, besides many others in
other parts of the Peninsula. Nor do we ever
read of there being any kings over them, except those
who reigned in Rome, and Porsenna, king of Etruria.
How the line of this last-named prince came to be extinguished,
history does not inform us; but it is clear that at
the time when the Romans went to besiege Veii, Etruria
was free, and so greatly rejoiced in her freedom,
and so detested the regal name, that when the Veientines,
who for their defence had created a king in Veii, sought
aid from the Etruscans against Rome, these, after
much deliberation resolved to lend them no help while
they continued to live under a king; judging it useless
to defend a country given over to servitude by its
inhabitants.